Liver fluke is a parasite of ruminants and is not present in Western Australia. Before stock from other Australian states can enter and move freely within WA, the owner or agent of the stock must comply with published import conditions that require proof from a Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) approved laboratory for liver fluke testing that pre- and/or post-entry faecal samples from animals entering WA from interstate are negative for liver fluke.
The DPIRD (formerly DAFWA) approved fluke egg sedimentation test (FEST) procedure is used for this testing and can detect one egg/gram from faecal samples of 10 grams for horses and cattle. For other species, a 4g sample is required.
DDLS - Animal Pathology [1] also offers a Fasciola hepatica copro-antigen detection ELISA, which is more cost-effective and more sensitive than the FEST. The test is for post-entry testing of sheep and cattle samples only and at this stage is only available at DDLS - animal pathology. For sheep a 4g faecal sample is required and for cattle a 10g sample.
Collect a fresh faecal sample, refrigerate (2-8°C), and dispatch the sample to DDLS - Animal Pathology in an esky with ice or cold pack as soon as possible.
DPIRD-approved laboratories to test liver fluke samples pre- and post-entry to WA
The laboratories listed below:
- participate in the DPIRD liver fluke quality assurance scheme
- use the DPIRD fluke egg sedimentation test (FEST) method or another approved method.
Please note that at present the Fasciola hepatica copro-antigen detection ELISA for post-entry samples from sheep and cattle is only approved if conducted at DPIRD.
| Contact name | Laboratory address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Cameron Loomes | DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory |
|
| Mrs Deanne Broughton |
| +61 (0)8 |
| Dr Grant Richards |
| +61 (0)3 |
| Ms Maryke Du Plessis |
| +61 (0)2 |
| Ms Maria Hardy |
| +61 (0)2 |
| Mr Hamish Southwood |
| +61 (0)8 |
| Ms Bonnie Beall |
| +61 (0)3 |
| Dr Natalie Leo |
| +61 (0)7 |